Academics
True bilingualism is built one year at a time
Why bilingual
The principles of bilingualism
Two thirds of the world's population is bilingual: in an international world, speaking more than one language is the norm, not the exception.
For us, being bilingual means not only speaking two languages but also reading and writing both. By combining the two curricula, children get the best of each, in content and in teaching methods.
Personal benefits
Greater self-esteem, flexibility and adaptability, confidence in social situations.
Communication benefits
Reading and writing in two languages, and access to a wider community: international relationships, study, future work.
Cultural benefits
A deeper understanding of other cultures and more tolerance: the experience of living in two linguistic worlds.
Step by step
How the two languages change over the years
1. Nursery · Reception · Year 1
100% English
Full immersion: the foundation on which bilingualism is built.
2. Year 2 · Year 3
60 / 40
From the first year of Italian primary school, subjects are taught in English and in Italian.
3. Year 4 · Year 5 · Year 6
45 / 55
In the last three years of primary, Italian grows to around half.
English / Italian ratio.
How much English, class by class
- Nursery30 h
- Reception30 h
- Year 130 h
- Year 218 h12 h
- Year 318 h12 h
- Year 413.5 h16.5 h
- Year 513.5 h16.5 h
- Year 613.5 h16.5 h
From Nursery to Year 6: about 5,500 hours of lessons in English.Sample data
Our classes
Classes and ages
And after OIS?
Progress is checked regularly, including with official exams from both countries. When they finish, pupils can move on easily to an Italian school, state or private, or to an international school.
| Stage | Class | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years | Nursery | 3–4 yrs |
| Reception | 4–5 yrs | |
| Primary School | Year 1 | 5–6 yrs |
| Year 2 | 6–7 yrs | |
| Year 3 | 7–8 yrs | |
| Year 4 | 8–9 yrs | |
| Year 5 | 9–10 yrs | |
| Year 6 | 10–11 yrs | |
| English Club | Year 7 | 11–12 yrs |
| Year 8 | 12–13 yrs | |
| Year 9 | 13–14 yrs |
Which class would my child join?
Sample dataEnter the date of birth and the year you would like to start.
A guide only: the class is confirmed at the meeting with the Head and, if needed, the entry assessment.
Bilingual or international: what's the difference?
Three kinds of school that are often confused, side by side.
Italian national programme
- OIS · bilingual school
- Yes, in full
- Italian school with extra English
- Yes
- International school
- Usually not, or only in part
British curriculum
- OIS · bilingual school
- Yes, the full English National Curriculum
- Italian school with extra English
- No
- International school
- Often, or another international curriculum
Language of lessons
- OIS · bilingual school
- Italian and English, with a native-speaker teacher for each language
- Italian school with extra English
- Italian, with a few extra hours of English
- International school
- English, with some hours of Italian
Exams
- OIS · bilingual school
- Official exams from both countries
- Italian school with extra English
- From the Italian system
- International school
- From the curriculum followed
After primary
- OIS · bilingual school
- An Italian school, state or private, or an international school
- Italian school with extra English
- Italian middle school
- International school
- Moving back to an Italian school may require an entrance exam
Status in Italy
- OIS · bilingual school
- To be confirmed with the schoolSample data
- Italian school with extra English
- State or state-recognised
- International school
- Depends on the school
The columns for other schools describe the most common cases: every school has its own rules.
Three stages
Early Years
Everything in English, following the British curriculum, in single-age classes: the foundation of true bilingualism.
Primary School
Bilingual and bicultural: the Italian national programme and the English National Curriculum, with exams from both countries.
English Club
To keep studying in English, at an advanced level, after primary school.
The official curricula
We look forward to meeting you!
Come and see OIS for yourself
A tour of the school and a meeting with the Head are the best way to find out whether OIS is right for your child.